BEIJING, Jan 8 (Reuters) - The head of China's National Energy Administration, Zhang Guobao, confirmed on Saturday that he would retire and be replaced by 56-year-old Liu Tienan, a deputy chairman of the National Development and Reform Commission.
'I'm sure Liu will do a good job. We've worked together for around a decade already,' Zhang told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry conference. He did not give a time for the move.
Local media reported last week that Zhang would be stepping down, but the government had not yet made an official announcement on the move.
Zhang, 66, is a minister-level official. Ministers generally retire at 65.
Asked whether China had begun to fill its second phase of strategic oil reserves, Zhang said they were still under construction and were therefore not being filled yet.
Beijing visualises three phases for its strategic petroleum reserve. China had fully filled the first-stage of about 100 million barrels by early 2009, exploiting falls in prices since late 2008. Most of the second-phase tanks are under construction.
(Reporting by Judy Hua and Jason Subler)
((jason.subler@thomsonreuters.com; +86 21 6104 1733; Reuters Messaging: jason.subler.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: CHINA ENERGY/ (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
'I'm sure Liu will do a good job. We've worked together for around a decade already,' Zhang told Reuters on the sidelines of an industry conference. He did not give a time for the move.
Local media reported last week that Zhang would be stepping down, but the government had not yet made an official announcement on the move.
Zhang, 66, is a minister-level official. Ministers generally retire at 65.
Asked whether China had begun to fill its second phase of strategic oil reserves, Zhang said they were still under construction and were therefore not being filled yet.
Beijing visualises three phases for its strategic petroleum reserve. China had fully filled the first-stage of about 100 million barrels by early 2009, exploiting falls in prices since late 2008. Most of the second-phase tanks are under construction.
(Reporting by Judy Hua and Jason Subler)
((jason.subler@thomsonreuters.com; +86 21 6104 1733; Reuters Messaging: jason.subler.thomsonreuters.com@reuters.net)) Keywords: CHINA ENERGY/ (If you have a query or comment on this story, send an email to news.feedback.asia@thomsonreuters.com) COPYRIGHT Copyright Thomson Reuters 2011. All rights reserved. The copying, republication or redistribution of Reuters News Content, including by framing or similar means, is expressly prohibited without the prior written consent of Thomson Reuters.
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